Carson City could receive over 1,200 acres of federal land for recreation, flood mitigation and other public uses under legislation passed Thursday by the U.S. Senate. If passed the Carson City Public Land Correct Act would also open roughly 380 acres for private sale, and adjust rules relating to land management.
Senate Bill 3493 was introduced by Nevada Senator Jacky Rosen Nov. 12 and received unanimous, bipartisan approval. It still requires House approval and the president’s signature.
If approved, the federal government would transfer the 1,270 acres to Carson City at the city’s request without charging a purchase price. The land would remain restricted to authorized public uses, and the federal government could reclaim parcels that no longer meet those requirements. The city would pay associated survey, administrative and applicable environmental costs.
Roughly 356 acres of federally-held land in Carson City would also be made available for private sale to “qualified bidders.” This is not defined within the bill itself.
The bill also transfers 45 acres of Carson City land to the federal government, of which 21 acres would be offered for private sale.
Recreation and infrastructure
The bill adjusts the rules governing how Carson City contracts with third-party operators at city-owned recreation sites like Eagle Valley Golf Course, Centennial Park and the Capitol City Gun Club. Currently, the city must seek approval for agreements.
In addition, the bill states that net profits from for-profit operators of these sites would have to go into a special account or be reinvested in improvements to the properties.
The city also would receive approximately half an acre for a roadway connection and would have two years to build a crosswalk across South Curry Street to maintain access to the U.S. Forest Service’s Carson Ranger District Office.
Existing utility and access rights near Koontz Lane, Conti Drive and Bennett Avenue would be preserved during certain land sales.
Land-sale proceeds would be distributed under the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, including funds for specified government expenses and acquisitions of environmentally sensitive land in Carson City.
The bill addresses hazardous materials on conveyed property but would not, by itself, require the city or federal government to conduct environmental cleanup. Other applicable environmental laws would still apply.
Long-running land talks
The proposal updates provisions of the 2009 law governing federal land transfers and management in Carson City. Rosen introduced it in December 2025 after discussions with city officials about growth, infrastructure and conservation according to a press release following the passage.
“This legislation reflects years of collaboration to align federal land management with Carson City’s on-the-ground needs,” Mayor Lori Bagwell said.
City officials have cited flood mitigation, transportation, wildfire resilience and recreation among their priorities.
Republican Rep. Mark Amodei of Nevada also introduced related House legislation concerning Northern Nevada public lands.
An earlier proposal prompted concerns from federal land managers. In March 2024 testimony on H.R. 3173, a broader Northern Nevada bill, the Interior Department reviewed provisions to transfer approximately 258 acres to Carson City, dispose of another 28 federal acres and transfer about 17 city-owned acres to the Bureau of Land Management.
The BLM supported the general goals but questioned whether the land dispositions would provide fair value for taxpayers. It also sought clearer boundaries, revised maps and deadlines.
At a Feb. 12, 2026, hearing on Rosen’s bill, BLM Nevada State Director Jon Raby expressed Interior’s support for its goals of addressing local economic growth and housing needs, while requesting map clarifications and deadline changes.
The Senate-passed bill references a March 3, 2026, map identifying the acreage, but it was not attached to the bill itself. Federal officials are responsible for creating final maps and legal descriptions — but only after the land transfers are complete.
We have not been able to locate public maps showing the location of the proposed lands, and there is no information as to the specific land designated for private sale versus land set aside for public use.
We’ve reached out to the local BLM office and will update when we have more information about the specific locations of the proposed land transfers.
